Draco woke in the warm embrace of a soft and supple woman and is briefly brought him back to a better time, to his youth at Hogwarts. Back then, Slytherin girls and other girls took pride in bedding him and being able to wake in his bed. However, he was not disillusioned into thinking that he was anything other than a trophy to those women. Just another story to tell their friends about.

But here, in Hermione's arms, it felt different. She wasn't like the other and she cared and loved with her whole heart. I was overwhelming thinking about the previous night. The way her eyes shone as she looked at him and the passion and care that was tangible in her kiss. She was gentle and innocent. That's when he knew to stop.

She had been drunk and aroused but for all of his faults, Draco was not one to take advantage of inebriated women. He was raised better than that by his mother.

So he had reluctantly untangled himself from the giggling drunk woman and advised her to get ready for bed. When she refused unless he went with her a small pang of satisfaction went through him that his ploy to integrate himself into her life and her heart had worked. This was quickly followed by guilt as she looked at him with her big brown eyes full of hope and love. Bollocks.

He'd eventually gotten her to brush her teeth and change into pyjamas while he did the same in his room. However, worried about the drunk little lion, he had decided to go back to check on her and she'd managed to attach herself to his person. She he slept next to her that night.

If he were to be honest with himself, he rather hoped she would have asked him to sleep in her bed. He liked the feelings of her next to him. She grounded him and warded off the nightmares of that hell hole.

Speaking of nightmares, Hermione slowly came to as she became aware of the warm cocoon of her bed. She was quite shocked that she had slept soundly all night and for a moment she had forgotten about the godforsaken war.

"Morning sweetheart," she heard the unmistakeable voice of one Draco Malfoy. Reality came back to her and a hazy memory of last night floated through her mind. She tensed but kept her eyes shut. Maybe if she ignored it the embarrassment of last night would cease to exist.

"Hermione," he all but purred her name. "I know you're awake."

She slowly opened her eyes one at a time and looked at his all too symmetrical and beautiful face. But there was no smirk on his face, just a look of content.

"Oh Merlin's knickers," she mumbled. "We didn't…."

"No," he smiled indulgingly. "I merely slept here. I much prefer the warmth of your bed to mine."

She knew he was trying to save her from embarrassment, she remembered asking him to stay and then stubbornly clinging on to him until he gave in.

"So…" she trailed off.

"So," he smirked at her.

"What are we doing?" she finally managed to say.

"Dating? Courting? Whichever term you prefer. I fancy you, and unless you tell me otherwise I would like to… I would like for us to give this a try," he told her almost as smoothly as usual.

"You fancy me?" she said the words as if tasting the it and trying to evaluate it.

"Yes," he smiled slightly at her. Then with a wave of his hand as if dismissing the subject he asked, "breakfast?"

"Always," she grinned.

Draco took this opportunity to drop a light kiss on her cheek before he rose from the bed and headed to the washroom. This left her on the bed, still trying to process what had just happened. Was she and Draco an item now? How odd.

She waited until she heard the bathroom door open again and headed to the bathroom herself.

As she brushed her hair and performed her morning hygiene routine she couldn't help but feel prettier. Draco Malfoy, for all his faults was a beautiful man and it was flattering to be fancied. She couldn't say she didn't return those feelings.

He was different now. Whether it was time that had changed him or is she just never truly know the real Draco. He was considerate and funny.

And he had made her toast and tea.

While this may not be much, for a man who has been catered to by house elves every step of the way, having tea and toast made by him was endearing.

When Hermione finally came down the to the kitchen, Draco couldn't help but feel a tinge of guilt over his true motives for wanting to integrate himself into her life permanently. Perhaps she didn't have to know and if he kept her happy what does it matter in the end.

And if was this kind of Slytherin reasoning that often got them in trouble.

At Ron's flat the morning did not go quite as smoothly. Blaise was determined to get Ron to see him as more than just a flat mate or a friend but if seemed the red head was as thick as they came.

Perhaps he'd have to do a little scheming to get things his way.

He wondered if Draco's game was going any better. If appeared last night that they were quite smitten with each other. Although he could never tell with Draco. That man was so good at being convincing that sometimes he might just convince himself of it.

Deciding that it would be best to worry about his own love life, he decided to get dressed and face another day of being in close proximity with the boyishly charming Wealsey.